Common building terms.
This list is general information designed to help you understand Common Building Terms.
It does not contain all building terms, and meanings can vary depending on the property, the building work, the claim and the documents being discussed. If you encounter a term not listed here, please ask your Hollard Claim Consultant, or builder for clarification.
The explanations provided here are a general guide only and are intended to support your understanding of building-related claim documents such as assessment reports and scopes of work. They are not defined terms under your policy, do not form part of any insurance contract, are not contractual representations, and do not amend, replace, limit, expand or override any policy, Product Disclosure Statement, schedule, certificate of insurance, endorsement, assessment report, scope of works or other claim or policy document.
The decorative trim around doors and windows.
A voluntary National standard code or specification administered by Standards Australia, which represents industry best practice. Australian Standards become mandatory when referenced in the National Construction Code or Building Regulations and are enforceable within building contracts when called up in contract documents.
Narrow beams (usually made of metal or timber) affixed to rafters and designed to help distribute the load of roof tiles or metal sheeting.
Railing fixed from stair treads, landing, balcony or bridge.
A sub‐floor structural timber member which supports the floor joists.
Application of mortar to secure roof materials, typically ridge caps, hip tiles or other tile cappings to the roof structure.
Timber plate at the bottom of a wall frame.
A gutter built into the roof structure (not the regular gutter attached to the edge).
The legal requirements for building work (all repairs must meet these).
Framed and lowered section of ceiling used to cover materials or other installed elements (plumbing, pipework, Audio Visual etc).
The space between the brick skin and the timber frame in a brick veneer wall, or the space between two brick skins in a full masonry wall.
The decorative trim where walls meet ceilings.
A moisture-resistant layer of material installed between building walls and floors such as bricks or masonry to prevent rising or migrating moisture from causing damage to the home.
The part of the roof that overhangs the walls, providing shade and weather protection.
A white, powdery substance that sometimes appears on masonry surfaces through excessive wetting.
The slope that allows water to drain away (e.g. "the gutter needs proper fall to drain").
The vertical-facing, horizontal board that runs along the roof edge, where gutters are usually attached.
Metal, plastic or polymer rubber strips installed at joints and edges (around chimneys, where roof meets walls) to prevent water getting in.
A braided stainless-steel hose that is flexible and extends from the tap fixture to the water services pipes.
Base component of a foundation used to support/distribute weight of structure situated above it.
The joint filling material used in wall and floor tiling.
The external angle where two roof slopes meet (opposite of a valley).
A beam (usually made of timber or steel) installed horizontally to distribute load and provide support to structures such as flooring or ceilings.
A face piece of material to the base of the cabinetry that conceals the structure of the cabinets and plumbing.
A horizontal structural support beam typically spanning the opening of a door, window etc.
A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it (cannot be removed without structural support).
The professional appointed by your insurer to inspect damage and assess the claim.
Emergency temporary repairs to prevent further damage or make property safe (e.g. tarpaulin on damaged roof).
A suitable proportioned plastic mixture (paste) of sand (fine aggregate), cement and/or lime, or proprietary plasticiser and water for the laying of masonry units.
Decorative strips of wood used to conceal joints.
The sheets of material used for interior walls and ceilings (Gyprock is a common brand name).
The angle of a sloping roof, usually expressed in degrees e.g. 22-degree pitch.
Filling or repairing the mortar joints between bricks.
Damage that existed before the insured event (usually not covered).
An estimated amount for work that can't be fully detailed until repairs start.
A sloping member in a roof providing the principal structural support for the roofing material.
Fixing defects or problems caused by or related to previous repairs.
Repairs to fix existing problems or damage.
Applying a cement coating to walls (can be smooth or textured finish).
The highest point of the roof where two roof slopes meet at the top.
The tiles or metal pieces that cover the ridge at the top of your roof.
The waterproof layer installed under roof tiles or metal roofing to provide extra protection.
The detailed document describing all repairs to be done, materials to be used, and costs.
Small decorative moulding used to cover junctions or gaps.
When the assessor or builder visits your property to examine the damage.
An upright supporting member of a timber wall frame to which wall coverings (plasterboard) are fixed.
An interior trim (normally timber) which covers the gap between walls and floors.
The underside of the eaves (the part you see when you look up at the roof overhang).
The structural floor beneath your finished floor (floorboards, tiles, or carpet sit on top of this).
Part of the structural roof frame.
The cushioning layer between your subfloor and carpet.
Where two roof slopes meet and form an internal angle (water flows down valleys into gutters).
A change to the original scope of works (usually because additional damage is found).
Small openings in walls designed to allow ventilation and built-up water to escape. Often found above windows and foundations.
Contact your Claim Consultant:
This information has been prepared without taking into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs, personal circumstances, claim circumstances or policy details. If there is any inconsistency, uncertainty or overlap between these Common Building Terms and your Product Disclosure Statement, policy schedule or certificate of insurance, endorsements or any other applicable policy documents, the Product Disclosure Statement prevails in all circumstances, followed by the policy schedule or certificate and then other policy documents. Any defined term in those documents has priority over the explanatory wording in these Common Building Terms.
